Retail Garden Centre Seminars
LP068: NEW-Annuals: Improved Performance with an Array of Choices
How landscapers use annuals to beautify their outdoor spaces is constantly changing. Genetic advancements have improved bloom performance and disease tolerance of these plants. New plant introductions continue to increase your choices. Changing climate and garden spaces put new demands on the performance of these plants.
This session will provide you with tools for proper plant selection for a myriad of landscaping applications and help you and your clients get the most value from investing in annuals.
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph
Date: Monday February 2, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
How landscapers use annuals to beautify their outdoor spaces is constantly changing. Genetic advancements have improved bloom performance and disease tolerance of these plants. New plant introductions continue to increase your choices. Changing climate and garden spaces put new demands on the performance of these plants.
This session will provide you with tools for proper plant selection for a myriad of landscaping applications and help you and your clients get the most value from investing in annuals.
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph
Date: Monday February 2, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LP070: NEW-Perennials: Better Versions Available
The choices of perennials now available can be overwhelming. "Just how many different echinacea cultivars does the horticultural industry need anyhow!:)" The landscape industry has been very comfortable with the tried and true species and cultivars of perennials to-date but, with all of the recent breeding efforts focused upon perennials, it is becoming evident that the old standbys can be improved upon and better versions are now available.
This seminar will help you make discerning selections from all of those choices and apply them effectively in your design applications.
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph
Date: Friday February 6, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
The choices of perennials now available can be overwhelming. "Just how many different echinacea cultivars does the horticultural industry need anyhow!:)" The landscape industry has been very comfortable with the tried and true species and cultivars of perennials to-date but, with all of the recent breeding efforts focused upon perennials, it is becoming evident that the old standbys can be improved upon and better versions are now available.
This seminar will help you make discerning selections from all of those choices and apply them effectively in your design applications.
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Rodger Tschanz, University of Guelph
Date: Friday February 6, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LG049: Designing Low Carbon Landscapes
Reducing the carbon footprint of projects is becoming more important in the landscape industry.
As a green industry, it is vital that we incorporate practices that reduce environmental impacts: recycling and reusing materials on site, managing soils, reducing cut and fill and planting to increase carbon sequestration.
In this seminar, specific strategies will be discussed that will enable you to design landscapes compliant with the latest environmental standards.
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Adele Pierre, Adele Pierre Landscape Architect
Date: Monday February 9, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Reducing the carbon footprint of projects is becoming more important in the landscape industry.
As a green industry, it is vital that we incorporate practices that reduce environmental impacts: recycling and reusing materials on site, managing soils, reducing cut and fill and planting to increase carbon sequestration.
In this seminar, specific strategies will be discussed that will enable you to design landscapes compliant with the latest environmental standards.
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Adele Pierre, Adele Pierre Landscape Architect
Date: Monday February 9, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LBM170: NEW-Cultivating Leadership: Growing Strong Teams
Effective leadership in our industry goes beyond managing tasks — it’s about creating strong, motivated crews that deliver quality results day after day.
This seminar equips managers, supervisors, and leaders with tools to understand their leadership style and how it shapes culture across crews, communicate with authority and empathy, and strengthen retention through clear expectations and motivational strategies.
We’ll address how to navigate conflict, underperformance, and challenges while building consistency across teams. Participants will leave with a tailored action plan to elevate their leadership impact and drive stronger results across their organization.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Charolette Cascioli, Simplified HR Consulting
Date: Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Effective leadership in our industry goes beyond managing tasks — it’s about creating strong, motivated crews that deliver quality results day after day.
This seminar equips managers, supervisors, and leaders with tools to understand their leadership style and how it shapes culture across crews, communicate with authority and empathy, and strengthen retention through clear expectations and motivational strategies.
We’ll address how to navigate conflict, underperformance, and challenges while building consistency across teams. Participants will leave with a tailored action plan to elevate their leadership impact and drive stronger results across their organization.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Charolette Cascioli, Simplified HR Consulting
Date: Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LBM171: NEW - Technology in a Landscape Business
Using the power of technology to run lean
Topics covered:
*How to determine what software will help your business
*The importance of using software to track jobs, routes, equipment and inventory
*Accounting software and how to use this to guide you to financial success
*How can a robust CRM help you manage the client journey
*Using estimating software to win at every job. How to know if you beat your estimate once the job is finished
*Providing detail reports to staff using technology
*Becoming a paperless company – how to move your company to be paperless and the benefits this brings
*Software to manage your AP challenges
*Creating employee buy in to use technology
*Winning with AI
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Greg Wildeboer, Whispering Pines Landscaping
Date: Monday February 23, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Using the power of technology to run lean
Topics covered:
*How to determine what software will help your business
*The importance of using software to track jobs, routes, equipment and inventory
*Accounting software and how to use this to guide you to financial success
*How can a robust CRM help you manage the client journey
*Using estimating software to win at every job. How to know if you beat your estimate once the job is finished
*Providing detail reports to staff using technology
*Becoming a paperless company – how to move your company to be paperless and the benefits this brings
*Software to manage your AP challenges
*Creating employee buy in to use technology
*Winning with AI
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Greg Wildeboer, Whispering Pines Landscaping
Date: Monday February 23, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LBM172: NEW-Build & Keep Your Crew: Recruiting and Retention Strategies
Struggling to find and keep good people? In today’s competitive labor market, the ability to attract and retain skilled workers is essential for every landscaping business.
This seminar gives owners, managers, and supervisors the tools they need to strengthen their workforce. Participants will gain insight into why workers join — and leave — landscaping companies, learn cost-effective recruiting strategies, and explore how to create a workplace culture that keeps people engaged. We’ll cover practical ways to improve onboarding and early engagement, and each participant will leave with a customized recruiting and retention plan designed to build and keep a strong, reliable crew.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Charolette Cascioli, Simplified HR Consulting
Date: Friday February 27, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Struggling to find and keep good people? In today’s competitive labor market, the ability to attract and retain skilled workers is essential for every landscaping business.
This seminar gives owners, managers, and supervisors the tools they need to strengthen their workforce. Participants will gain insight into why workers join — and leave — landscaping companies, learn cost-effective recruiting strategies, and explore how to create a workplace culture that keeps people engaged. We’ll cover practical ways to improve onboarding and early engagement, and each participant will leave with a customized recruiting and retention plan designed to build and keep a strong, reliable crew.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Charolette Cascioli, Simplified HR Consulting
Date: Friday February 27, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LP072: NEW-Native Shrubs to Know and Plant
Native shrubs can be the versatile foundation for every landscape. They provide instant structure, low-maintenance beauty, and high-quality habitat for wildlife. In urban landscapes, especially, where space can be at a premium, shrubs are an excellent alternative to lawn.
In this presentation, you’ll hear about a diverse array of native shrubs for various landscape situations and conditions.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Lorraine Johnson, Garden Author
Date: Tuesday March 3, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Native shrubs can be the versatile foundation for every landscape. They provide instant structure, low-maintenance beauty, and high-quality habitat for wildlife. In urban landscapes, especially, where space can be at a premium, shrubs are an excellent alternative to lawn.
In this presentation, you’ll hear about a diverse array of native shrubs for various landscape situations and conditions.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Lorraine Johnson, Garden Author
Date: Tuesday March 3, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LBM123: NEW-Team Leader Training
Successful teams are led by high-performance coaches.
Team Leader Training is an interactive seminar geared towards newly-promoted supervisors or managers who need a refresh about creating high-performance teams: alignment, prioritizing time and resources to ensure billable hours, improving communication effectiveness, inclusive coaching methods, managing team huddles, collaborative conflict resolution, fair progressive discipline and balancing productivity with relationships.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Kate Seaver, Kates Garden
Date: Monday March 9, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Successful teams are led by high-performance coaches.
Team Leader Training is an interactive seminar geared towards newly-promoted supervisors or managers who need a refresh about creating high-performance teams: alignment, prioritizing time and resources to ensure billable hours, improving communication effectiveness, inclusive coaching methods, managing team huddles, collaborative conflict resolution, fair progressive discipline and balancing productivity with relationships.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Kate Seaver, Kates Garden
Date: Monday March 9, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LG056: NEW-Potted Exotics: What about Olives, Lemons, and Figs??
When your client says, “I’d like something different. Something unique,” or maybe you have a job that needs a special flourish. A Mediterranean touch.
What about adding potted olives, lemons, and figs as a premium choice you can help with.
Although none of these plants are fully hardy here in Ontario. They all do well in containers. And they can all take colder temperatures than many people realize. That means that you have overwintering options.
During this half day seminar participants will find out how to successfully grow maintain, prune and fertilize potted olive trees, potted lemon trees, and potted fig trees.
A seminar for those looking to hear a new potting idea for their next job or just for their own personal interest
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Steven Biggs, Food Garden Life Media
Date: Monday March 9, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
When your client says, “I’d like something different. Something unique,” or maybe you have a job that needs a special flourish. A Mediterranean touch.
What about adding potted olives, lemons, and figs as a premium choice you can help with.
Although none of these plants are fully hardy here in Ontario. They all do well in containers. And they can all take colder temperatures than many people realize. That means that you have overwintering options.
During this half day seminar participants will find out how to successfully grow maintain, prune and fertilize potted olive trees, potted lemon trees, and potted fig trees.
A seminar for those looking to hear a new potting idea for their next job or just for their own personal interest
Lunch not included
LO member price: $82.50
Non-member price: $145.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Steven Biggs, Food Garden Life Media
Date: Monday March 9, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LP073: NEW-Woody Plants: Their Appeal and Uses in the Landscape
A woody plant is a plant that produces wood as its structural tissue and thus has a hard stem.
During this two-day seminar participants will learn:
• The basics of plant identification will be covered for trees and shrubs: leaf shapes, flowers, fruit, bark, leaf arrangement etc.
• The advantages and concerns surrounding woody plant choices will be covered, along
• includes discussion of plants suitable for rain gardens, attracting birds, invasive species, native species, hardiness zones, and suitability to soil type
• Over 120 species will be covered
• Plant care, including pruning will be touched on.
LO member price: $330.00
Non-member price: $580.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Dates: Wednesday March 11, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday March 12, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
A woody plant is a plant that produces wood as its structural tissue and thus has a hard stem.
During this two-day seminar participants will learn:
• The basics of plant identification will be covered for trees and shrubs: leaf shapes, flowers, fruit, bark, leaf arrangement etc.
• The advantages and concerns surrounding woody plant choices will be covered, along
• includes discussion of plants suitable for rain gardens, attracting birds, invasive species, native species, hardiness zones, and suitability to soil type
• Over 120 species will be covered
• Plant care, including pruning will be touched on.
LO member price: $330.00
Non-member price: $580.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Dates: Wednesday March 11, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday March 12, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LD053: NEW-Bringing Back the Nearly Dead: Renovating an Existing Landscape
To restore your landscape, the most effective methods are rewilding with native plants and adopting naturalistic design.
This seminar will go over dealing with a landscape afflicted with the usual challenges, step-by step.
Starting with a standard landscape, we erase those challenges and redesign the situation. Discussing how to use the existing material and assets when upgrading older landscapes. Along with design principles, construction priorities and winter interest the presenter will cover rejuvenative pruning techniques and principles of hard landscaping (using stone, concrete and wood)
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Date: Monday March 16, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
To restore your landscape, the most effective methods are rewilding with native plants and adopting naturalistic design.
This seminar will go over dealing with a landscape afflicted with the usual challenges, step-by step.
Starting with a standard landscape, we erase those challenges and redesign the situation. Discussing how to use the existing material and assets when upgrading older landscapes. Along with design principles, construction priorities and winter interest the presenter will cover rejuvenative pruning techniques and principles of hard landscaping (using stone, concrete and wood)
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Sean James, Sean James Consulting
Date: Monday March 16, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LP065: So Much To Learn (About Roses) So Little Time
Not today, we have an entire day set aside to discuss all about roses and answer your questions and concerns.
Starting from planting to pruning to winter care, we will explore the many ways to have a beautiful rose garden.
Care and maintenance will be extensively covered as well. We may even a prune a few roses in the class or outside.
Bring your enthusiasm and secateurs and spend a day with rosarians.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Jeff McMann
Date: Thursday March 19, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Not today, we have an entire day set aside to discuss all about roses and answer your questions and concerns.
Starting from planting to pruning to winter care, we will explore the many ways to have a beautiful rose garden.
Care and maintenance will be extensively covered as well. We may even a prune a few roses in the class or outside.
Bring your enthusiasm and secateurs and spend a day with rosarians.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Jeff McMann
Date: Thursday March 19, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LA005: Below the Ground: Introduction to Soils and Tree Roots
Approximately 40 percent of a tree's biomass is below ground, as a vast network of roots. Because roots lie out of sight, their care and protection are often overlooked, resulting in poor performance. Understanding how roots grow and the importance of healthy soil is vital knowledge for anyone working with trees to understand.
This seminar will cover:
*Basics of tree biology
*Root growth and soil science
*Importance of healthy soil and proper nutrient cycling
*How to assess soil conditions to improve soil health
*How to help protect tree roots during construction
*Routine maintenance for root and soil health
Participants are encouraged to ask questions and share case studies from their own work experiences. Landscape designers, technicians, contractors and architects, along with property managers, groundskeepers and arborists should attend.
Note: ISA continuing education units (CEU's) available.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Todd Irvine, MFC, MA, ISA Certified Arborist
Date: Thursday March 19, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Approximately 40 percent of a tree's biomass is below ground, as a vast network of roots. Because roots lie out of sight, their care and protection are often overlooked, resulting in poor performance. Understanding how roots grow and the importance of healthy soil is vital knowledge for anyone working with trees to understand.
This seminar will cover:
*Basics of tree biology
*Root growth and soil science
*Importance of healthy soil and proper nutrient cycling
*How to assess soil conditions to improve soil health
*How to help protect tree roots during construction
*Routine maintenance for root and soil health
Participants are encouraged to ask questions and share case studies from their own work experiences. Landscape designers, technicians, contractors and architects, along with property managers, groundskeepers and arborists should attend.
Note: ISA continuing education units (CEU's) available.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Todd Irvine, MFC, MA, ISA Certified Arborist
Date: Thursday March 19, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LA001: NEW-Trees and Shrubs: Planting and Maintenance Practices
Don't waste time and money planting incorrectly.
This seminar explores how to maintain trees and shrubs so that they perform well in difficult urban settings. An introduction to tree and shrub biology is followed by a discussion of main stresses, including drought, construction damage, and lack of nutrients. Participants will learn how to assess a planting site and the proper techniques for plant selection and placement.
This seminar also covers the basics of proactive tree and shrub care, including planting,mulching, watering, soil enrichment, staking. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and share case studies from their own work experiences.
Landscape designers, technicians, contractors and architects, property managers, groundskeepers and arborists should consider attending.
Note: ISA continuing education units (CEU's) available.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Todd Irvine, MFC, MA, ISA Certified Arborist
Date: Friday March 20, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Don't waste time and money planting incorrectly.
This seminar explores how to maintain trees and shrubs so that they perform well in difficult urban settings. An introduction to tree and shrub biology is followed by a discussion of main stresses, including drought, construction damage, and lack of nutrients. Participants will learn how to assess a planting site and the proper techniques for plant selection and placement.
This seminar also covers the basics of proactive tree and shrub care, including planting,mulching, watering, soil enrichment, staking. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and share case studies from their own work experiences.
Landscape designers, technicians, contractors and architects, property managers, groundskeepers and arborists should consider attending.
Note: ISA continuing education units (CEU's) available.
LO member price: $165.00
Non-member price: $290.00
Maximum participants: 15
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Todd Irvine, MFC, MA, ISA Certified Arborist
Date: Friday March 20, 2026 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
LS007: Standard First Aid with CPR Level C and AED Certification
This two-day practical first aid course meets government requirements and prepares participants to administer first aid for common landscape injuries. Every landscape crew must have one person with first aid training to assist injured workers. Participants should bring a blanket.
Topics covered included;
* Musculoskeletal Injuries
* Spinal precautions
* Soft tissue injuries (bruises, burns, and frostbite, etc)
* Heat and cold temperature emergencies
* Poisons.
* One rescuer adult/child/baby CPR
* Two rescuer adult/child CPR
* Adult/child/baby choking
* Barrier devices/pocket masks
* AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training
Note: ISA continuing education units (CEU's) available.
LO member price: $185.00
Non-member price: $315.00
Maximum participants: 16
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Representative from, SAJE Vital Signs
Dates: Monday March 30, 2026 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Seminars main menuThis two-day practical first aid course meets government requirements and prepares participants to administer first aid for common landscape injuries. Every landscape crew must have one person with first aid training to assist injured workers. Participants should bring a blanket.
Topics covered included;
* Musculoskeletal Injuries
* Spinal precautions
* Soft tissue injuries (bruises, burns, and frostbite, etc)
* Heat and cold temperature emergencies
* Poisons.
* One rescuer adult/child/baby CPR
* Two rescuer adult/child CPR
* Adult/child/baby choking
* Barrier devices/pocket masks
* AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training
Note: ISA continuing education units (CEU's) available.
LO member price: $185.00
Non-member price: $315.00
Maximum participants: 16
Location: Landscape Ontario, 7856 5th Line S., Milton
Instructor: Representative from, SAJE Vital Signs
Dates: Monday March 30, 2026 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday March 31, 2026 9:00 am - 4:00 pm